OK I see everyone on here going on about calories in each meal etc. I am very wary of counting calories and weighing food because it's what I used to do when my eating issues were bad and I don't want to trigger a relapse. Does eating low fat options work just as well as I know people who have lost weight using this method only including my mum. TIA.

Hi. I don't count calories. I eat low carb but not low fat. I don't eat bread, potato, rice, pasta. It is working for me. Lost 4 stone since October, 5 stone overall. It won't work for everyone as we are all different but it is working for me.

Like Ella says you don't need to cut out fats altogether. The right fats are very good for you. It's just saturated fats and trans fats you need to look out for. I personally count calories because it's easiest for me. And I do eat carbs but it's slow release carbs such as wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta etc. What I would suggest is and I know this sounds really silly is find one of those 'how your plate should look' pictures. It shows what foods your plate should be made up of and what to avoid. It seems ridiculous but you said in your previous post that you weren't sure what to eat and what to avoid. I would personally say avoid processed and refined foods (particularly sugar!) And cook from scratch. And try to do 30 mins of light/moderate exercise 5 days a week (what the NHS recommends but easier said than done!) Sorry I couldn't be more help but you're gonna do great! You've definitely come to the right place for support and advice 😁

I used calorie counting to re educate myself , and follow the 12 week plan. I've discovered that if I cook from scratch, , and have small portions of meat and cards, pile on the veg, my main meals are rarely mmore than 400-500 call each anyway. I don't really count carefully anymore - it's like 'getting your eye in' for the right amount and balance of food.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find the right approach for you - it's amazing how everyone does it slightly differently.

I'm glad for you, as you sound like you've reached the point I want to reach ('not calorie counting'). I'm not going to risk it at the moment until I feel that I'm really settled in my ways/routine. Good to see that its possible.

im not quite there yet, but yes thats the goal. I count quite loosely and estimate a lot, especially things like veg which are low cal anyway. If i batch cook a load of soup or curry i tend to work it out properly as scaling up the quantities. Its defintiely worth establishing the good habits.

As everyone says there is good fat and bad fat. Cut out pastry, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and so on by all means. That will definitely help both your weight and your health.

As far as carbs go I think the best way to go is to cut out or at least cut right down all processed white carbs, white flour and sugar,the dreaded pure white and deadly, and get your carbs from fruit, veg and small portions of whole grains.

These things are eating choices that you can make, at least most of the time, for the rest of your life rather than "being on a diet".

Low fat options invariably have more sugar and other additives to make them more palatable. However, going low carb and high fat is not always the right way for people. So, counting calories will always be a good option but one way of doing this without too much trouble is to eat smaller portions, off a smaller plate, only eat when hungry, eat till satisfied and not full and bloated. Get up and move more and gradually you will lose weight. I admit to not always listening to my own advice but to me weightloss should be slow and even (unless you are under medical care because of other issues).

Don't get fooled by foods that say diet or low fat, eat normal healthy foods and just eat mindfully.